3 realistic goals for Panthers rookie WR Shi Smith in 2021

What are some realistic goals for rookie wide receiver Shi Smith during his first season with the Carolina Panthers in 2021?

Shifty wide receiver Shi Smith is a big question mark heading into the 2021 season. The Carolina Panthers thought enough of the player to take him in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, but what sort of role the former South Carolina standout will play as a rookie is yet to be determined.

The Panthers made a huge push to improve their offense this off-season. They brought in quarterback Sam Darnold from the New York Jets in pursuit of finding an upgrade on Teddy Bridgewater, who was subsequently traded to the Denver Broncos after a disappointing 2020 campaign.

Carolina also drafted three skill position players while keeping Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore on their roster, which is another big boost to Darnold and his chances of success in a different environment.

Smith is one of the more interesting offensive pieces the Panthers added. The undersized receiver is skilled but whether or not he can overcome his height disadvantage is a legitimate ask, even if Carolina might not ask him to do too much from the outset.

Still, there is a reason for optimism considering what will be asked of Smith in his first year with the Panthers. With this in mind, here are three realistic goals the promising rookie can achieve during his first season with the franchise.